*UPDATE* tragically, Robin passed away at 4:45 a.m. on Wednesday, 30 October 2013. The full details are in the latest update, which can be seen below, or in the Updates section. I'll keep this page online for another week or so in order for everyone to see this sad news, and then I'll take it down. Obviously, there's no need for any more donations. Details of what will happen to the remaining funds and ways to make a difference if you still do want to donate, are in the latest update. I'm so sorry to have to tell you this awful news.

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Hi, I'm Richard Fray. This is Robin's story.

I'm a birdwatching guide and tour leader. I was with birding clients in a remote agricultural area in Arizona on 22nd October 2013 when we found this poor, abandoned dog, patiently waiting by an abandoned trailer for owners who were obviously not going to return. I was in this same spot a week previously and actually saw her then, but had no idea the trailer, and dog, had been abandoned. She looked a bit thin then, but now she was a pathetic sight, all ribs and vertebrae, mange ridden and smelly. She desperately wanted us to help her and approached us, forlornly wagging her tail.

Being with clients, with an afternoon of work to complete, and being in their rental car, I couldn't take her with me, so we left her some food and water (I didn't bring any lunch so I insisted that my clients give up theirs!) and we continued on our way.

But I couldn't get her out of my mind for the rest of the day, and after parting company with my clients in NW Tucson late afternoon, I drove the hour back north to see if I could find her again. I bought a couple of burgers on the way and arrived back at the spot just as it was getting dark. At first I couldn't see her, so I started to walk around the trailers, waving the burgers and whistling. I was becoming increasingly concerned that I had left it too late, but eventually she emerged from behind a makeshift kennel and gratefully gobbled down the burgers.

I bundled her into the back of my car and headed off. The smell was indescribably bad, like rotting meat, but somehow we both made it the two hours to my home in Rio Rico with all the windows down.

A few years ago I found a rare bird from Mexico, a Rufous-backed Robin, in the same spot I found this poor little girl. So it seemed fitting that I should name the dog Robin.

The next morning I took her straight to the local vet, the fantastic San Cayetano Veterinerary Hospital in Rio Rico. I'm extremely grateful to Dr. Horton, Jose, Norma and Diana for their loving care of Robin as they cleaned her up, removed ticks, took samples, diagnosed her various ailments and talked me through her chances of survival and the recovery process.

They very kindly gave me a substantial 'good Samaritan' discount on her initial treatment costs and allowed me to defer half of this reduced bill until a later date.

Other than the obvious starvation and dehydration (she was at least able to access some dirty irrigation water) Robin has Canine Demodectic Mange, which is the more difficult mange to treat but at least not the contagious type, and Canine Ehrlichiosis (aka Tick Fever). She also has Giardia, the same intestinal parasite that humans get from dirty water, and Canine Coccidiosis, another intestinal parasite. She is a very sick girl but, while these are all serious conditions and together make her immune system very vulnerable, they are all treatable and there's no reason why, over time, Robin can't make a full recovery and become a beautiful pet and best friend.

I intend to do all I can to save Robin, but I NEED YOUR HELP! I can't afford to pay for all of the intensive treatment she will need over the coming weeks and months. What I can do is give her a safe place to live, administer her medications and give her lots of love.

Can you help me to help Robin? I'm trying to raise $1000 to cover some of her medical expenses. Please consider making a donation, no matter how large or small.

Thank you! Both Robin and I appreciate it very much :)